Bottle vending machine for compartment cases



Feb. 6, 1951 B; A. ANDREWS ET AL 2,540,856

BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE FOR COMPARTMENT CASES Filed Feb. 2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet l Hum. 32 NH l IN V EN T0125. fia/ey 6. flfld/EWE Lora/7 6, 500/272, 5 mar 61/0/7/750/7 4 TTURN K Feb. 6, 1951 B. A. ANDREWS ET AL BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE FOR COMPARTMENT CASES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1948 L BY l lllHllllnhv A7 NEK Feb. 6, 1951 B. A. ANDREWS ET AL 2,540,856

BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE FOR COMPARTMENT CASES Filed Feb. 2, 1948 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS.

flo/ey 4. 4/7d/M 5. Lora/7 ,4 5/70/7fz, J1?

By E/mer a. Job/750x? i atenteci cl). 6,

BOTTLE VENDING MACHINE COMPARTMENT CASES Boley A. Andrews, Kansas City, Rams, and 'Loran A. Shon'iz, Jr.,*a-nd Elmer C. Johnson, Kansas City, Mo., assignors,

The Vendo Company ,poration of Missouri by meslne assignments, "to Kansas City, .Mo., a cor- Application February 2, 1948, Serial No. 5,884

17 Claims. 1

This "invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to apparatus for automatically dispensing bottled goods singly to pur- 'chasers thereof, the primary object being to provide'amachine for vending bottles from compartment cases therefor. h The most important object of this invention is the provision 'o'f a bottle vending machine capable of receiving a plurality of compartment cases having the bottles arranged therein in rows and dispensing such bottles singly from said compartment cases. Another important =object of this invention is the provision of a bottle vending "machine for compartment cases having means for advancing the cases 'to successively dispose asingle row of 'bottles in a vending position and having struc-- ture fordirecting the bottles to a position Where the same are normally free to move from the "compartment case by force ofgravity.

A further objector this invention is to provide in a vending machine of the aforesaid character, means for positively holding all of the bottles in the case disposed to dump itscontents by :"force of gravity against discharge until :such TbOttlfiS :are "themselves moved to the vending :position.

:A still further object of 'this:invention is the provision of a "bottle vending :m'aehine of "the aforementioned :character having shiftable (elemen'ts opera'ble to normally hold the bo'ttlesfiisposed in the vending position againstmovement from their case until such elements themselves are shifted from such holding position.

Another object of this invention is the pmvision of a bottle vending machine for compartmentcases having anendless conveyor for moving the cases and bottles contained thereby toward avendingmosition, the cases beingmounted on the conveyorfor free swinging movement and said machine having means fortilting a single .case asithesame approaches the vending position lto 'placexthe bottles of: said case in a a "position where the same :are normally free '130 move by tojroe of zgravity ifrom .such tilted cease.

Anotherlmportant object of this inventioniis to provide avendingmachine of the'type aforementioned ivherein the inherent Weight of "the bottles themsevesserve to actuatezthe holding element therefore when such element is released.

.An additional object of this invention is to provide a vending machine operable continuously after a suitable purchasing coin has been inserted --,thereinto until a bottle is definitely delivered, regardless of 'how many missing bottles there may beinanindividual case or-hovv many of such bottles might accidentally become stuck 2 and unable to be vended when the machine "is initially actuated.

A further object of this invention is to provide a vending machine as above specified having means for automatically advancing the rovvs of bottles in the individual "cases and the cases themselves as the rows and cases respectively become depleted of bottles automatically rupon discharge of the last bottle of a given row of such bottles.

Gther objects of this invention include -the' manner in which the compartment cases are in dividually mounted for free swinging movement on the advancing conveyor therefor; "the way-in which the cases are guided throughout their path -of travel to positively prevent displacementof thebottles from their cases*Whenever such cases are disposed in a nuznpingposition; "the way in which the cases themselves are "mounted in the swingable cradles -t ;h ere :for; 'the rnanner in which the individual trap door elements for releasing the bottles singly are released by a camassernf bly whereby such elements operate consecu t l 1y; h ne n wh h the o t e 'iii filf serves to assure flcontinuous operation of the machine until a bottlc is delivered; and the was; in which the last bottle in a given .qrow operates Whenvended to vcause advancement of the cradle and case supportingponveyor. Many and numerous additional objects -.wil1 he. made clear duri g the course of the liollowing specification, ,reierence ,be'ing had to the scam; panyingvdrawing, wherein: Fig. 1 is a ifront elevational View of a bottle vending machine for compartment cases made" in accordance with vthe ipresfintlinvention ans of the covering shell therejifor pem yean ma-j tirely eliminated lorpbroken away for .clearness.

Fig. zvisa "side elevational view thereon the covering shell Tbeingentirelyeliminated. .Fig. 3 his .a fragmentary, detailed, .cross seee ing ;in .the tdirection of 1t" arrows.

e 4 an e ge ra m v crossec: .tional view ytakenon 1ine 'I-Vt-I V,;of Fig. 1 looking in the direction-ofithe arrows.

Fig. 5 is: a fragmentary cross sectional .yievi' taken on line NV1.of Fig. v.6 is a tfragmentary :cross: similar to thatsillustratedgin 4 ,but showing a diiierentposition of partsld g the cyele iof operation of the vending machine. 1 Fig. 7 is a side telev onal iew of t e se tiona view switch pense.

Fig. 8 is a view partially in section and partially side elevational, showing a portion of the delivery switch assembly per se; and

Fig.9 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the electrical assembly forming a part of the vending machine. 7 v

It is common knowledge particularly to those skilled in the art that heretofore bottle vendin machines have been produced and designed to.

automatically dispense bottled goods singly upon insertion of a suitable coin or other medium. Such vending machines however, all require that the bottles be loaded into the machine singly by first removing the same from their individual carrying cases. Obviously, this inherent characteristic of conventional bottle vending machines is disadvantageous because of the additional work required on the part of the service operator.

It has long been known that a bottle vending machine capable of receiving the conventional cases and the bottles therein without the necessity of first removing such bottles, would beadvantageous in the field but many difficulties have presented themselves particularly in the manner in which such bottles could be removed from their cases and discharged to the purchasing public.

These problems and many others have all been met by the machine about to be described and in the drawings the numeral I designates broadly a suitable frame-work for operably supporting all ofthe mechanism about to be described. This frame-work l0 carries intermediate the ends thereof a pair of spaced apart sprocket l2 and I4 disposed on a substantially horizontal line. There are two sprocket wheels l2 and two sprocket wheels [4 disposed oppositely and each receives an endless chain l6. Each of thes chains l6 extend upwardly from the sprocket wheel l2 to an idler'sprocket l8,a drive sprocket 20, a second idler sprocket 22v and thence chain I6 passes downwardly and under a sprocket 24 mounted upon the frame-work. [6. After passing below the respective sprocket 24, the chains 16 each eX- tend outwardly beyond the frame I0 and over an idler sprocket 25 before passing downwardly at an angle toward and under the sprocket l4.

. The two drive sprockets .26 for each of the chains 16 respectively, are mounted on stub shafts 26 and one of these stub shafts 26 has a gear 28 secured thereto as clearly illustrated in Fig.3 of r the drawings. In other words; the gear 28 and the sprocket 20 next adjacent thereto, rotate together when driven by'a gear 38 mounted upon a shaft 32 extending across the frame In and suitably journaled thereon. This drive shaft 32 extends directly from suitable gear reduction means 34 operated by an electric motor or the like 36.

It is clear from the foregoing that as the motor 36 is energized, the chains [6 serving as a conveyor, as hereinafter more fully described, .will travel in th direction indicated bythe arrows in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings.

A pluralit of cradles broadly designated by the numeral 38 are swingably supported by the chains 16. These cradles 38 are formed to receive a conventional compartment case for bottles 42 to'be vended, said cases 40 receiving bottles 42 in a plurality of side-by-side rows. Each end of the cradles 38 is provided with a pair less chains l6 and journaled for free rotative movement in bearings aflixed to one of the links of the two chains [6.

Each of the extensions 44 of the cradles 38 is afiixed te the shaft 48 and cradles 38 thereby rendered freely swingable upon the spaced apart chains l6 by virtue of rotation of shaft 48 within the two bearings 50.

It is clear from the foregoing that the cradles 38 mounted as "above described upon the chains [6, will hold the cases 40 in a position where all of the bottles 42 therein are substantially horizontal. The cases 40 are held against displacement from the cradles 38 by virtue of a, stop 52 on the innermost face of one side of cradle 38 and b a spring member 54 in opposed relation ship to the stop 52. I

This spring 54 has a hook 56 at one end thereof that is looped about the adjacent edge of one side of case 40. Cases 40 may thereby be placed in the cradles 38 and removed therefrom by simply grasping the spring 54.

Access to the interior of the machine to replenish cases 40 having bottles 42 therein is through a hingedly mounted door 58 disposed at the front of the cabinet defined by frame-work I0 and the shell (not shown) mounted upon frame-work I0. As the cradles 38, cases 48 contained thereby and the bottles 42, travel downwardly between sprockets 22 and 24, the cradles 38 are hanging freely and the bottles 42 disposed angularly and upwardly, as clearly illustratedin Fig. 2 of the drawings. As the lowermost row of the bottles 42-approaches the sprocket 24, they come into contact with a plurality of elongated resilient members 60 suitably supported at their upper: most ends to the frame-work l8. These members 68 are all longer than the distance across the rows of bottles, there being four rows in the type of case 40 chosen for illustration. Thus as the cradle'38 progresses downwardly, the four bottles in the vertical row all have their uppermost ends in engagement with the resilient strips 60. It is to be noted that there are six of these strips 60, one for'each of the six vertical rows of bottles 42. As the shaft 48 and bearings 50 approach and pass over the sprocket wheel 25, the extensions 44 will move outwardl from the framework l0 while the lowermost horizontal row of bottles 42 move into engagement with a plurality of gates 62.

' A portion of the coverage shell for the machine is illustrated in the drawings and constitutes 'a panel 64 mounted upon frame 18 at the front of the machine and immediately below door 58;

= This panel 64 is disposed at an angle to the of spaced apart substantially triangular extensions 44 and 46 terminating'above the top of the case 40 and below the uppermost ends of the bottles 42 within cases 48. Each of th cradles 38 has a shaft 48 interconnecting the two end-' vertical, the uppermost end thereof projecting outwardly beyond frame-work l0 and the lowermost end extending inwardly into the interior of the machine within the confines of frame-work [8. It is upon this inclined panel 64 that the plurality of trap doors 62 and associated mechanism are mounted. These trap doors 62 are all held in a closed position covering an elongated outlet opening 66 formed in the panel 64 by structure hereinafter more fully described. 7

' The manner in which the cradles 38 approach the vending position adjacent trap doors 62 is illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, whereas Fig. 2shows one of such cradles 38 disposed in a position for vending the lowermost row of bottles 42. In this vending position of cradles 38, as shown in Fig. 2, the shaft 48 and the bearings 58 therefore, are disposed adjacent the two spaced apart sprocket wheels 25 whereas the lowermost such movement of the bottles 42 from their case 49 and the strips 60 'of flexible material, hol'dthe remaining b'dttles above the lowermost row against free movement by gravity from the case 40 disposed in the vending positon'.

When all of the bottles 42 of the lowermost row thereof are dispensed, the conveyor, including chains I6; is actuated to move the row of bottles 42 next above to aposition where the "same hear against the trap doors 62. This operation continues until all ofthe bottles of a given case 40 are dispensed; whereupon the next cradle 38 is moved ginto vending position in the same manner. When the machine is being loaded with all of the cradles 38 containingc'a'ses' 40 'of bottles 42, there will be full cases of bottles travelling downwardly from the door 58, past the gates 62 in the manner illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings; Similarly, if any bottles 42 become lodged or stuck in the case '48 and are not dispensed such bottles will also travel downwardly from the doors 62 beneath the sprockets 14. Thus, means must be provided to prevent autoniatic movement of the bottles 42 from case '49 by actionpf gravity and such means constitutes a sw ngable member 68 hingedly mounted at the lowermost end thereof to the panel 64 as at Hi. This member 63 constitutes merely a flat panel yieldably held against the innermost face of the panel 64 by means of a pair of springs 12 each having one end thereof connected to the member 68 and their opposite ends joined-to a portion of the frame I 9. i

This member '68 has a pair of arms 74 extending laterally and upwardly therefrom and inwardly with respect to the interior of the ma chine, said arms being spaced apart a distance iiual to the spac'ng between bearings 50. It is noted-that the bearings 50 are disposed between the adjacent chains 16 and the cradles'38 and as these bearings 50 move downwardly to a position next adjacent the sprockets I 4, they will come into contact with the arms 14 in overlying relationship therewith. [The normal retrieved position of the member 68 and its arms 14 is illust ated by dotted lines in Fig. 4 of the drawings. the bearings 50 move downwardly around the sprockets l4, iheyam move the arms ;'!4 and member 68'toward the interior of the machine as such l'oearing's 50 travel in "a substantially hori- Zblltal path between sprock s m aha [2' uch movement of arms 74 by bearings 50 pulls the member 98 tightly'againstthe uppermost "ends of the bottles 42 and'such member 68 thereby holds bottles 42 in their case 140 until such time as the cradle 38 swingsto a position where the bottles 42 are-no longer tipped in the dumping position.

As the bearings 50 move away fromthe sprockets l'4','they wills'lip 'fromthe suppermost ends o'f'the arms 14 and springs 12 will serve to automatica'lly inoveiriemberli'B to the normal inoperative posi on. As the cradle 38 continues to have towardthe sproc et 14, it win right itself by virtue of its freesivinging movement'on chains l B to the position illustrated n Fig. 2'of the drawiiigs and as the bearings 50 approach sproeget a "roller 16 ch the extension or era i as underlying relationship thereto.

will engage a substantially o shasea r tid 7B in h This Ice 18 sewer; a guide endesteaes ieilg wardly from the frame I II. There are two of these rods 18 and consequently two rollers 16, one on each: of the extensions 46 of cradle 38 the cradles progress upwardly between the sprockets l2 and 18, a second set of rollers alsoon the extensions 46 of cradles 38, come into con tact with the guide rod 18 until the cradle passes beyond the uppermost end of rod 18. f

Rollers 82 on eachxof the extensions :46 then guide themselves along tracks 64 mounted on frame it] until rollers 16 and 80 come into contact with a second pair of guide rods 86xdireotl-y above the rods 18. It is clear from the foregoing that rods 78 and 8]] and tracks 84 cooperating with the rollers"; 80 and 82, all serve to maintain the cradles 38.- cases 49 and bottles 42 in a path of travel where no interference will be occasioned with the cradles 38 passing downwardly between sprockets Ha e .7 r M It is to be noted in Figs. 2 and 4 that the rollers 80 serve to guide the cradle 38when the same approaches the vending position by over-riding a pair of brackets 88 mounted on frame it between the sprockets I2 and I4, It is to-be understood that in lieu of the plurality of guiding means 86 18,94 and 88 suitable tracks may be used to con-.- tinuously guide the cradles 38 throughout sub- 'stantially their entire path of travel if desired. I

A pair of spaced apart bearings 90 mounted directly upon the inclined "panel 64 rotatably support an elongated shaft 92. This shaft 92 is disposed directly above the gates '62 and outlet openings '66 formed in the panel 64 and carries a plurality of cams 94. It is to be noted that there is a gate for each of the bottles 42 of the horizontal row thereof and there is a cam 94 for each of the gates 62 asclearly indicated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Each of these cams 94 is provided with a notch 96 and the cams 94 are disposed and secured to the shaft 92 to displace the notches as, 60 apart.

The cross sectional contour of gates '62 (swingably mounted on a rod 98 supported by bearings 99 insubstantial parallelism to shaft 92) is shown in Fig. 8. A flap 98 integral with the main body of gates 62 extends laterally to one side of rodf92 and substantially perpendicular to panel 64 when gates 62 are closed. (See FigJLl The gates 62 are held in the closed position by 7 their respective cams 94 when such cams '94 bear aga nst flaps 98 in the manner shown in Fig. 4 As the cams 94 rotate in the direction indicated by arrows in Figs. 4, 6 and 8, their notches 96 move to a position to receive the adjacent flap 98 of gate 52. Gates '62'are then free to swing open as determined by the weightof a bottle 42 thereagainst. I I

These bottles :42 then fall by gravity from case 49, through outlet opening 66 into a tray I00. This tray I60 is cup-shaped and disposed below openingfifi and is substantially coextensive in length with opening 66. A bumper I02 of resilient material such as rubber, lines the tray 100 to cushion bottles 42 as they discharge from case 40.

After a given bottle 42 is vended, continued rotation of shaft 92 will move notch 96 of cam 94 to a position where-its trailing edge contacts flap 98. forcing door '62 clo ed. The edge of'cam 94 'will then hold door 62closed in the manner shown 7* I 8.6- secured; to its drive shaft in mesh with a gear I01-on shaft 92.; Fig. '7 of the drawings illustrates a cam switch I08 controlled by adisc-like cam H mounted onshaft 92 for rotation therewith. Cam H0 is provided with a plurality of notches I2 for re'* ceiving button H4 of switch I88, there being six notches II2 to conform to the six gates 62. This switch I08 is normally closed by virtue of itsbutton II4 resting in a notch II2 when the machine is in the standby condition.

Each of the doors 62 is'provided with a'delivery switch I I6, there being only one shown in Fig. 9 for convenience of illustration. These switches H6 are all normally closed when the doors 62 are closed, but have their actuating arms H8 disposed in the path of travel of flaps 98 that serve to open switch II6 when the door 62 opens.

' The cams 94 have their notches 96 arranged relative to each other to render the door 62next adjacent cam' H0 the first to open when the machine is placed in'operation. 'The door 62 at the opposite end of the series thereof is therefore, rendered operative to advance the conveyor including endless chains I6 by controlling drive motor 36 to dispose the next row of bottles 42 in the vending position. This end door 62 has a switch I20 mounted thereon and is provided with an actuating arm I22 that projects through an opening I24 in such end door 62 to be normally actuated by a bottle 42 resting thereagainst. This arm I22 remains actuat ed to hold switch I28 normally open until bottle 42 is within tray I00 and clear thereof as shown in Fig. 6. All of the electrical circuits are in the condition shown in Fig. 9 when the machine is in the, normal standby position. A switch I26 ,(shown only in Fig. 9) is actuated by any of the well known types of coin controlled assemblies, not illustrated. When this coin switch I26 is moved from the normal position shown in Fig. 9 in connection with a contact point I28, it joins with a contact point I30 to close the following circuit through the .0011 I32 of a holding relay I34: j

From lead line I36, through wires I38 and I40,

switch I26, contact point I30, wires I42 and I43, coil I32 of relay I34 and wires I44 and I46 to lead line I48. Energization of relay I34 as above described closes its switches I50 and I52 and opens its switch I54. .The ,relay I34 remains energized after switch I26 returns to the normal position shown in Fig. 9 through the following circuit:.

,From leadline I36 through wires I38, I55 and I56, normally closed switch II6, wires I58 and I60, closed switch I50, wires I62 and I43, coil I32 of relay I34 and, wires I44 and I46 to lead line I48. I This relay I34 is also held energized momen-- tarily through cam switch I08 normally engaged with a contact I64. This circuit is traced as follows:' Y

From lead line I36 through wires I38, I55 and I63, switch'l08, contact I64, wires I66, I68'and I60, closed switch I50, wires I62 and I43, coil I32 of relay I34 and wires I44 and I46 to lead 'Ene'rgizati'on of relay I34 also causesdeenergization oi acoin reject relay I10 (shown only in Fig. 9) by opening of switch I54. This circuit when the machine is at standby is traced asgfollows: I From lead line I36, through wires I38,-I55 and I56, closed switch H6, wires I58, I68. and HI, switch I20, contact point I12 (with which switch I20'is normally engaged) wire I14, relay I10, wire I16, switch I54 and wires I18, I and I46 to line I48.

A second circuit for relay I10 though switch I I6 may be open, is traceable as follows. "From lead line I36 through wires I38, I55 and I63, switch I08, wires I66 and HI, switch I20, contact I12,'wire I14, relay I10, wire I16, switch I54 and wires I18, I80 and I46 to line I48.

As soon as switch I26 returns to the normal position in connection with contact I28, motor I04 is energized torotate shaft 92, cams 94'and cam H0 through the following circuit: From lead line I36 through wires I38 and I40; switch I26, contact I28, wire I82, closed switch I52 of relay I34, wires I84 and I86, motor I04 and wires I88, I90, I80 and I46 to line I48.

As soon as cam I I0 starts to rotate, switch I08 is moved from contact'I64 to a contact I92,"deenergizing relay I34 and energizing the following circuit to cause motor I04 to continue operatingi From lead line I36 through wires I38, I55 and I63, switch I08, contact I92, wires I94 and 185, motor I64, wires I88, I90, I80 and I46to lead line I48. 1

In the event a bottle 42 is not delivered for some reason, movement of switch I08 from contact I64 to contact I92 by action of cam H0, will; fail to 'deenergize relay I34 because the switch IIEwhich would normally be opened, would remain closed. Motor I04 continues to operate even after switch I08 returns to the contact I64 until movement of a bottle 42 operates to open a switch H6.

When the last bottle 44 in a given row thereof falls into the tray I00, switch I20 immediately moves from contact I12 to a contact I96. As soon as door 62 having switch I20 thereon re-- turns to a position closing switch II6 or cam H0 moves to close switch I08 with contact I64, motor 36 is energized to advance cradles 38 through the following circuits: I

From lead line I33 through wires I38, I55 and I63, switch I08, contact I64, wires I66 and HI,

switch I28, contact I96, wire I98, motor 36 and wires 200, I90, I80 and I46 to line |48; or

From lead line I33 through wires I38, I55 and I56, switch II6, wires I58, I68 and I'll, switch I20, contact I96, wire I98, motor 36, and wires 200, I90, I80. and I43 to line I48.

It is seen that when botte 42 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, switch I20 is still closed, but that. as soon as bottle 42 is deposited in tray I 00, ,as shown in Fig. 4, actuating arm I22 will be clear, and the switch I20 will immediately close with. contact I96. Motor 36 will be energized, moving the next cradle 38 downwardly until the lowers most row of bottles 42 are in alignment with gatesv 62. .At this point in the cycle, the bottle 42 ad-] jacent switch I20 will contact arm I22 and open switch I20 to de-energize motor 36. When the last bottle 42. of the lowermost row thereof moves to tray I00, switch arm I22 will again be'clear, motor 36 will be energized, and the cradle 38 will move downwardly until switch I20 is again opened with respect tocontact I96. Switch-I20. remains closed with respect to contact I12 and"; openflwith respect to contact I96 untilall, six

bottles42of a given row thereof have been vend 7 ed into tray I00. I

:JIt is to benoted that com-r j ct ay is connected: through switches H6, I08 and 120. -Thus Whilethe machine is operatin ei r t deliver a bottle 24 or advance the cradles 38, subsequently inserted coins will be rejected though holding relay I34 is deenergized and switchl54 thereby closed. l i

Having thus described the invention what is claimed asnew and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: r =1. A'machine for vending bottlesfro'm cases having bottle receiving compartments arranged in'side-by-side rows, said machine comprising a cabinet having an outlet opening formed therein; means for advancing said cases and the bottles therein to successively bring rows of bottles to rest with each bottle of the row thereofin 2;

wending position in alignment with said outlet opening; and re easable means for rendering the bottles normally inaccessible through said out let opening. I

ZQA- machine for vending bottles from cases having bottle receiving compartments arranged in side-by-side' rows, said machine'comprising a cabinet having an outlet opening formed therein: means for advancing a plura ity of cases and the bottles therein past said outlet opening to sucicessively bring rows of bottles to rest in alignment with said outlet opening; re easable means for rendering the bottles normally inaccessible therein to successively bring 'rows of' bottles to 1 rest in alignment with said outlet; and releasable means for eachb'ottle respectively of the aligned row rendering the bottles normally inaccessible through said out et opening, said means being disposed to' normally hold "proximal bottles against discharge from their case.

7 4, A machine for vending bottles from cases having bott e receiving comp rtments arranged in side-by-side rows, said machine comprising a cabinet having ancutlet opening formed therein; I

means for advancing said cases and the bottles therein to successively bring rows of bottles to rest in alignmentavith. said outlet; releasable means for rendering the bottles normally inacce'si'siblej'rthrough said outlet opening; said means being disposed to normally hold proximal bottles against discharge -from their case; and structure for hblding' bottles of the case disposed on eithe'rlof-the two opposed sidesof the outlet open.--

against dischargef-rom-their case.) V

A machine for vendingbo'ttles from cases having bottle receiving compartments arranged in side-by-side rows, said machine comprising a cabinet having an outlet opening formed therein; a plurality of closures for said outlet opening, each shiftable to and from a closed position; releasable means for holding said closures normally closed; structure for advancing said cases and the bottles therein to successively bring rows of bottles to rest in alignment with said outlet opening; mechanism for shifting the case adjacent said outlet opening to a position for directing the aligned row of bottles against the closures by gravity, there being a closure for each bottle i 'g not -'in alignment --with said outlet opening 10 in said "aligned rowrof bottles respectively; and means for releasing said closure holding means to consecutively open the closures'and discharge the bottles held thereby:

6. A machine for vending bottles from cases having bottle receiving compartments arranged in side-by-side rows, said machine comprising a cabinet having anoutlet opening formed therein; a plurality of closures for said outlet opening, each shiftable to and from aclosed positiomreleasablemeans for holding said closures normally closed; structure for advancing said cases and the bottles therein to successively bring rows of bottles to rest in alignment with said outlet opening; mechanism for shifting the case adjacent said outlet opening to a position for directing the aligned row of bottles against the closures by gravity, there being a'closure for each bottle in said alignedrow of bottles respectively; means for releasing said closure holding means to consecutively open the closures and discharge the .bottleszheld thereby; and mean's'operab'l upon release of one of said closures to control said case advancing structure. 7.'In a bottle vending machine of the shameter described, structure for supporting a plural ity' of bottlesto be vendedin a position Where said bottles are normally free to move by gravity from said structure; means for holding said bot tles against said gravity movement, said means including a releasable element for each of certain of said bottles respectively; and means forsimul taneously advancing an: of said bottles to sue cessively bring the same to rest against 'a respec tive element.

8. In a bottle vending ma'chine of 'the character described, structure forsuppor'ting'ia plural}; ity of bottles to be vended inaposition Where saidbottles are'normally' free to move by gravity from said structure means for holding said bot tles'against'said gravity m'ovement,'said means including a releasableeleme'rit for each ofcertairi of said bottles respectively, said" bottles being arranged in'rowsinsai'd structure, there being an element foreach bottle 'resp'ec'tivelyof the row next adjacent the elements; and means for simultaneously advancing all of'said bottles to successively bring said rows of bottles intoa position with the bottles thereof each resting against a respective element. h

9. In a bottle vending machine of the charac-f ter describedfmea'ns' for supporting a plurality of 'bottles to be vended'in' side-by-side rows; structure for advancing'said bottle supporting means to successively" bring saidirow's of bottles to rest in a predetermined" vendin g'"pos itio nj; means for shifting at-least the rovvof-bottle'sin said vending" position 'toa place Where the same are noriifally Tree to move from 'saidsupportin'g' means' by force of gravity-f and releasable "el'e'f' ments for '-ho1ding' 'the bottles in "said vending position against movement 'from'the supporting" means. 10. Ina bottle vendinginachine of the charac ter described, means for supporting a plurality of bottles to bevended in side-by-side rows; structure for advancing said bottle supporting means to successively bring said rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined vending position; means for shifting at least the row of bottles in said vending position to a place Where the same are normally free to move from said supporting means by force. of gravity; and releasable elements '0 holdin s-the bottles in said vending position 2'5 \against movement from the supporting means,

11 there being a releasable element 'for each bottle respectively in the row of bottles disposed in said vending position.

11. In a bottle vending machine of the character described, means for supporting a plurality of bottles to be vended in side-by-side rows; structure for advancing said bottle supporting means to successively bring said rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined vending position; means for shifting at least the row of bottles in said vending position to a place where the same are normally free to move from said supporting means by force of gravity; releasable elements for holding the bottles in said vending position against movement from the supporting means, there being a releasable element for each bottle respectively in the row of bottles disposed in said vending position; and automatic mechanism for consecutively actuating said elements.

12. In a bottle vending machine of the character described, means for supporting a plurality of bottles to be vended in side-by-side rows; structure for advancing said bottle supporting means to successively bring said rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined vending position; means for shifting at least the row of bottles in said vending position to a place where the same are normally free to move from said supporting means by force of gravity; releasable elements for holding the bottles in said vending position against movement from the supporting means, there being a releasable element for each bottle respectively in the row of bottles disposed in said vending position; automatic mechanism for consecutively actuating said elements; and means operable upon movement of bottles from said supporting means through release of the respective element therefor for controlling said mechanism.

13. In a bottle vending machine of the character described, means for supporting a plurality of bottles to be vended in side-by-side rows; struc ture for advancing said bottle supporting means to successively bring said rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined vending position; means for shifting at least the row of bottles in said vending position to a place where the same are normally free to move from said supporting means by force of gravity; releasable elements for holding the bottles in said vending position against movement from the supporting means, there being a releasable element for each bottle respectively in the row of bottles disposed in said vending position; automatic mechanism for consecutively actuating said elements; and means operable upon actuation of one of said elements for controlling said structure.

14. In a bottle vending machine of the character described, means for receiving a plurality 12 successively bring said rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined position; means for shifting at least the row of bottles disposed in said horizontal position to a condition where the same are normally free to' move from the receiving means by force of gravity; and releasable elements for holding said row of bottles against movement by force of gravity.

15. In a vending machine of the character described, a cabinet having an outlet opening 7 formed therein; means for supporting a plurality of bottles in side-by-side rows; mechanism for successively moving said rows of bottles to a position in alignment with said outlet opening; means for shifting said bottles to a position where the same are normally free to fall by gravity from said supporting means; and structure for holding said bottles against falling after the same have been shifted to said position, said structure having releasable elements for discharging bottles in alignment with said outlet opening.

16. In a bottle vending machine of the character described, structure for supporting a plurality of bottles arranged in side-by-side rows; mechanism for moving said structure to successively place said rows of bottles in a vending position; means operable upon movement of said structure toward said vending position for tilting said bottles to a position where the same are normally free to fall from the structure by force of gravity; and releasable elements for holding said bottles in said structure.

' 17. In a machine for vending bottles from cases having bottle receiving compartments arranged in side-by-side rows; a conveyor; a, supporting cradle for each of said cases respectively, said cases being swingably secured to said conveyor; control means for said conveyor operable to advance the conveyor to successively bring rows of bottles to rest in a predetermined vending position; means for tilting said cases as the same approach the vending position to place the bottles therein in a condition Where the same are normally free to fall from the case by force of gravity; and means for holding bottles in the tilted case against movement therefrom by force of gravity, said means including parts operable to release bottles in the row thereof disposed in the vending position in consecutive order.

' BOLEY A. ANDREWS.

LORAN A. SHONTZ, JR. ELMER C. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

of-bottles to be vended,-;s aid bottles being arranged, in side-by-side rows; movable structure for: Supporting said bottle receiving means with the bottle receiving means supported thereby to v UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,211,685 De Cesare Jan. 9, 1917 1,732,990 Smith Oct. 22, 1929 1,913,917 Crowe June 13, 1933 2,289,807 Schaevitz et al July 14, 1942 

